Lotus Peak stands tall amidst the clouds, its bones carved from jade and its garments made from clouds.
The Green Cloud Palace at the summit has upturned eaves, resembling a fairy painting on the cliff. In front of it lies a huge rock with cracked stone patterns like a thousand lotus petals. At dawn and dusk, it is bathed in the Rosy Glow of the sunset, like a red jade cup left behind by a goddess from the heavens.
The mountain ridge meanders like a dragon's spine, with sheer cliffs on both sides that drop thousands of feet. When the wind blows, the pine trees rustle like flutes, and one can faintly hear the sound of the Chenxiang and chisel left behind when Chenxiang split the mountain to save his mother.
The clouds and mist surged up from the bottom of the cliff, sometimes turning into a white ribbon that wrapped around the waist of the peak, and sometimes scattering like broken jade falling into the deep ravine, dyeing the rugged rocks into ink and wash paintings.
The most extraordinary sight is when the setting sun casts a golden glow upon the lotus-shaped boulder, reflecting a reddish-gold hue that mingles with the shimmering light on the glazed tiles of the Green Cloud Palace.
Standing atop the peak, with the sea of clouds churning beneath my feet, I felt as if I were no longer a visitor to the mortal world, but rather a banished immortal treading on lotus blossoms and soaring through the void.
However, this sacred place of immortals has been defiled.
The gaudy, garish gold and red carpets; the grand buildings; the heavily made-up men; the pungent smell of alcohol.
"Dongfang Sheng!" Feng Qingyang was greatly alarmed.
His expression darkened further as he recognized the person who had approached him.
It wasn't just because of the strange appearance of this old acquaintance, neither male nor female, but also the resentment that Green Cloud Palace, a place full of memories, had been defiled.
Furthermore, they discovered the powerful and domineering true energy beneath her powdered skin.
The extremes of strength and gentleness are mixed together, forming an inexplicable and elusive External Path.
It is not the correct path of Daoism, which emphasizes lesser yin and lesser yang, or old yin and old yang.
It is not the heretical path referred to as "Sun and Moon" by the Demonic Sect.
Instead, it is similar to the blend of strength and gentleness in Buddhist Qigong, but only similar. Its core also incorporates elements of Daoist and demonic Qigong.
It feels like the integration of the three religions has gone astray.
Having only practiced the [Mount Hua Heart Method] and [Bao Yuan Jin], and knowing nothing about the [Purple Cloud Art], he failed to see the connection between the [Sunflower Manual] and the [Zixia Divine Skill].
This is actually normal.
Dongfang Bubai's "Sunflower Manual" was not the original version. It was a secondary creation based on Persian qigong and the "Tai Chi Boxing Manual" (stolen from Wudang and handwritten by Zhang Sanfeng), just like Lin Yuantu's "Bixie Sword Manual" which combined Shaolin martial arts.
If the original Sunflower Manual was five parts Daoism, three parts Buddhism, and two parts Confucianism;
Lin Yuantu is five parts Buddhism, four parts Daoism, and one part Confucianism;
The Eastern version is five parts Daoism, two parts Buddhism, two parts Demonism, and one part Confucianism.
However, even though Feng Qingyang couldn't discern the connection between it and Huashan Qigong, he remained on high alert, leaping down the cliff like a nimble monkey without causing any disturbance.
In terms of swordsmanship, he is unmatched in the world, and his internal energy cultivation is also top-notch. However, he is old while Dongfang Bubai is in Dongfang Bubai prime, and his internal energy cultivation is weaker than Dongfang Bubai's.
So.
He decided to show himself.
He used his sword to force Yue Buqun and the others to leave the mountain.
"Is this why Uncle Feng attacked me?"
Yue Buqun sheathed his sword.
"You just believe me like that?" Feng Qingyang asked in surprise.
He knew this junior apprentice well; he was stubborn, heavy-hearted, and conservative, with only his loyalty to Mount Hua being somewhat acceptable.
"That's right. Judging from your swordsmanship and qigong today, it's clear that my understanding of you was completely wrong."
"You have been biding your time, luring others to make a move against you."
"It seems I shouldn't have shown myself in front of Fang Zheng and Chong Xu, letting them know I was still alive."
As he spoke, he recalled the previous battles.
Yue Buqun's unorthodox and unorthodox swordsmanship and movement techniques, which are as fast as flowing light, and his unfathomable and continuous [Purple Cloud Qi], are more than enough to make him the face of Mount Hua.
"Uncle Feng has been living in seclusion all this time?" Yue Buqun was equally surprised.
Given his dark intentions, even if Feng Qingyang was greatly affected and had no intention of re-establishing the Sword Sect, he should still live in the bustling city and keep a close eye on everything in Mount Hua.
However, he quickly realized what was happening.
Since Feng Qingyang had already appeared before the leaders of Wudang and Shaolin, he could naturally block most obstacles given the influence of these two sects.
He naturally only needed to live in seclusion on Mount Hua to deal with those enemies who directly invaded.
Then Yue Buqun continued, "With Young Master Li's support, Mount Hua no longer needs to worry about the likes of Dongfang Bubai."
"With your martial arts skills, you still need to talk about mentoring?" Feng Qingyang asked with brief curiosity. "What high-ranking officials with the surname Li are there in the Li court now?"
"However, with our martial arts skills, we no longer need to focus on such petty and despicable matters. With the swords in our hands, we can go anywhere in the world, even the imperial palace."
"Alright, we've rested a bit. Let's go take Dongfang Sheng's dog life together!"
Yue Buqun thought to himself: Uncle Feng truly lives up to his reputation as a member of the Sword Sect; his actions and conduct are as swift and decisive as Sword: One. If it weren't for what happened back then, his [Bao Yuan Jin] would probably have already reached its peak, instead of his face being as pale as paper, relying solely on his profound internal energy to maintain his bodily functions.
Thinking about this made him feel inexplicably guilty.
After all, the Qi Sect is really shameless in this regard.
There are prostitutes who are "pure" (unmarried men who have left their wives), but that woman wasn't even a "pure" woman. She hadn't even redeemed herself; she was just renting for a short period. In the end, she ran away with her so-called father-in-law—a pimp.
If he were the one suffering this calamity, he would probably have joined the evil cult in a fit of anger.
Although Yue Buqun Feng Qingyang towards Feng Qingyang, he did not reveal any flaws on his face.
With a look of reverence, he said, "Uncle Feng, that Young Master Li is not a person in officialdom, but a celestial being. My skills also come from him."
"A deity?" Feng Qingyang sneered disdainfully. "If he truly is a deity, I will no longer live in seclusion and will return to Mount Hua—"
The word "door" was not spoken.
Above the white clouds, a man in a green robe floated by with four women.
The man was exceptionally handsome; his appearance and demeanor surpassed the limits of what words could describe.
Although the four women accompanying him each had their own unique charm, including a Miao woman with exotic features and a pure and lovely nun, they all paled in comparison to the man.
"I--"
Seeing that Feng Qingyang wanted to change his mind, Yue Buqun immediately said, "Uncle Feng's word is his bond. You don't want anyone in the martial world to know that Sword Saint Feng Qingyang is a man of his word, do you?"
"That's Immortal Li?" Feng Qingyang changed the subject. "There really are immortals. Was the story of Liezi riding the wind during the Warring States Period true?"
"Brother Li, you really are a god."
Above the white clouds, Yi Lin's eyes shone brightly, "Have you ever seen the compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva?"
She was extremely excited at this moment: If Brother Li is a god, doesn't that mean that my being with Brother Li is preordained by heaven and approved by the Bodhisattvas and Buddhas!
In contrast to Yi Lin is Ren Yingying.
She was listless and extremely uneasy.
On the contrary, Lan Fenghuang, who already knew that her little thoughts had been seen through, was completely open and honest. She even pretended to be afraid of heights, pushed Yue Lingshan aside, and almost melted into Li Lin's body.
This made Yue Lingshan frown, wanting to draw her sword and kill this little bitch immediately.
Li Lin smiled but remained silent.
He simply went along with Lan Fenghuang's actions, enjoying Yi Lin's adoration, Yingying's trepidation, Lingshan's jealousy, and Linghu Chong's horrified, painful, and remorseful gaze.
Linghu Chong finally managed to leave Lu Dayou's room because of his master's arrival, but when he looked up, he saw this scene.
It's all true.
That Li Lin is truly a god.
Brother Tian is truly Tian Boguang.
From the very beginning, I was driven by jealousy and lost my rationality.
And so, he lost his innocence.
Junior sister, little junior sister.
Senior Brother is no longer worthy of you. I am no longer pure, I am not worthy.
Linghu Chong felt a mix of emotions and went back into the room.
Inside the room, Lu Dayou was lying on the bed, while the little monkey was eating fruit on the other side of the bed. When it saw Linghu Chong come in, it immediately stuck its butt out.
Upon seeing this, Linghu Chong burst into tears.
Linghu Chong returned to his room, and Li Lin, who had lost one of his friends, also descended from the Cloud Top with four women.
Yue Buqun and his men quickly tracked them down and arrived.
"Greetings, Young Master Li."
Feng Qingyang had already met with Ning Zhongze and the others. He couldn't wait to walk up to Li Lin and meet him first.
"This is your Grand Uncle Feng," Yue Buqun quickly said to Yue Lingshan.
"Grandmaster Feng." Yue Lingshan quickly bowed.
"Young Master Li, I have a favor to ask of you," Feng Qingyang stated bluntly, "Where is Zhirou now?"
Yue Buqun exclaimed in surprise, "Ah, wasn't it supposed to be that Immortal Li was sent to deal with Dongfang Bubai? My uncle has actually developed real feelings for that woman?"
"Let me see." Li Lin was also intrigued and quickly flipped through the Akashic Records, which only he could see.
The name Zhirou may be a fabrication, but if we trace Feng Qingyang's experiences...
Ah, this.
The contents of the document horrified Li Lin.
"One good news, one bad news."
"What's the bad news?" Feng Qingyang took a deep breath.
"Your father-in-law, Fang Daping, is actually Fang Zhirou's husband," Li Lin said.
"I had expected this," Feng Qingyang said. "They didn't know my identity in the martial arts world, yet they didn't return to Qunfang Garden, and the way they looked at each other... Alas, they must have been having an affair."
Knowing the inside story, Yue Buqun, Lin Pingzhi, Yue Lingshan: "It's tragic, so tragic!"
"What's the good news?"
Feng Qingyang had already thought of a possibility, and his voice began to tremble.
"The good news is that Zhirou's name is real, and the child in her belly is yours. What's even more coincidental is that," Li Lin paused, "That child, although he was driven out of his home and tragically died because his mother died early, because he didn't look like Linghu Ping, still left a child in the world."
"Linghu..." Yue Buqun's eyes lit up. "Could it be Chong'er?"
"You mean Linghu Chong is my grandson!" Although Feng Qingyang didn't pay attention to outside news, he knew the disciples and members of Mount Hua very well.
"Yes." Li Lin nodded.
He now understood why Feng Qingyang was so easily favored by Linghu Chong.
Grandparental love.
"What was my child's name?" Feng Qingyang's joy was quickly overwhelmed by grief, and at the same time, a Killing Intent arose. "Who killed him? Fang Da... I mean, where is Linghu Ping?"
"Linghu Zhi. What is the child's name?" Li Lin said. "The ones who killed their family were a group of bandits." He looked at Yue Buqun. "They were eliminated when you were clearing out the bandits around Mount Hua."
"As for Linghu Ping, his money came too easily, and he was exposed and killed by a notorious bandit surnamed Tian."
"My master-disciple relationship with Chong'er is truly preordained! Tian? Could it be..." Yue Buqun immediately connected him with Tian Boguang.
Knowing that gods truly exist, and with these coincidences he had just learned, he began to believe in fate and karma.
"Yes, that notorious bandit surnamed Tian is Tian Boguang's father," Li Lin said.
In the serialized version, Tian Boguang's martial arts skills originated from a famous righteous figure in the martial arts world, which would have shocked Linghu Chong if he knew.
However, just like the setting that Tian Boguang was extremely ugly, with distinctive features, and whose narration stated that he had nothing to do with integrity, and that he was a rapist, abductor and all sorts of evildoers, all of these were deleted and altered.
However, in this world, Tian Boguang's martial arts skills are inherited from his ancestors and came from the imperial palace.
"No wonder Chong'er trusted that scoundrel Tian Boguang so easily; it turns out it's a family history."
Yue Buqun sighed, and then told Feng Qingyang the whole story.
"Never mind, never mind." Feng Qingyang sighed. "From now on, during the Qingming Festival, just let Chong'er go to Tian Boguang's grave to offer incense."
"Coincidentally, Six Monkeys cleaned up the body of this lecherous thief and set up a grave for him," Yue Buqun said.
"Uncle Feng, would you like to go see Chong'er first, or..." Ning Zhongze asked.
"Let's go to Lotus Peak first. How can we let that Dongfang Sheng pollute our sacred Mount Hua!" Feng Qingyang declared emphatically.
"Uncle Dongfang is in Huashan?" A bystander felt that Huashan was really chaotic, and everything was too coincidental. Ren Yingying was staying in Bengbu.
"Uncle? Who are you?" Feng Qingyang asked in confusion.
Judging from how they address each other, the two seem to have a very close relationship.
But if this uncle had actually met her, he should have addressed her as aunt.
"My father Ren Woxing, and I haven't seen Uncle Dongfang for more than ten years," Ren Yingying said.
"I see." Feng Qingyang did not react as excessively as the other Huashan disciples before him.
Firstly, because he had long since left the martial world and had seen through the so-called righteous and demonic paths.
Secondly, it was out of consideration for Li Lin.
How could the attendants of immortals be bound or determined by mere good or evil?
"Miss Ren, you should go and meet her."
Lotus Peak.
Having just taken a bath, Dongfang Bubai raised an eyebrow as she reapplied a thick layer of makeup.
He bent down and said, "Brother Lian, be careful, someone's coming."
Immediately, the clothes on the hanger were sucked in, and its body twisted and turned, like a snake, as it burrowed into them.
He looked up and his mind went blank for a moment, and he instantly forgot about his brother Lian.
"There is such an outstanding man in this world."
"Even Brother Lian is not one ten-thousandth as good as you."
"You must be the Immortal Li."
At that moment, he had only this one person in his eyes.
He ignored Feng Qingyang, who was as sharp as Sword: One and posed a subtle threat to him; Yue Buqun Lin Pingzhi, whose energy resonated with his; and Ren Yingying, whom he could recognize.
"You should be glad there was no lewdness in your eyes, otherwise you wouldn't be able to keep your eyes," Li Lin said with a look of disgust.
"I have the honor of meeting the venerable immortal. Even if I lose my eyes, it is worth it," Dongfang Bubai said earnestly, as if he would die the moment Li Lin said the word.
"You rascal, have you changed your mind?" Yang Lianting was somewhat exasperated.
"Brother Lian," Dongfang Bubai said meekly, "My idea of continuing the Yang family line has never wavered. Immortals are not something I can aspire to."
After bringing Yang Lianting to calm down, he continued to ask, "I wonder if immortals have the ability to switch between Yin and Yang? I want to be a woman like Yingying."